In recent weeks, we have seen a change of UK Government and, with it, the resignation of the UK Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington. Whilst we had some particular requests of the UK Government, which have not been implemented—from funding, safeguarding processes and improvements to the visa system—Lord Harrington was always willing to make himself available to discuss matters with devolved Governments and be open about his views. We welcomed that engagement and we are asking the UK Government to continue this as part of the new Government's approach.

Last week, my Scottish ministerial counterpart, Neil Gray MSP, and I jointly wrote to the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the new Home Secretary, to raise awareness of our pressing needs. Our letter includes the urgent need for the UK Government to increase the £350 'thank you' payments for the Ukraine scheme hosts, to ensure that we do not see a wave of homelessness presentations as an impact of the cost-of-living increases. We have called for confirmation of year 2 and year 3 funding tariffs, as well as renewing the call for dedicated ESOL and health funding tariffs, as exist with other resettlement and protection visa schemes. Additionally, we have called again for funding parity between the three Ukraine schemes.

As well as funding requests and a call for the reintroduction of a Minister for refugees, we have asked for close inter-governmental working in relation to supporting those who may arrive in the UK without a Ukraine scheme visa and ensuring those studying remotely with Ukrainian universities are provided with help to continue their studies.

As we move into the new school year, we are seeing many Ukrainian children enrolled in schools and many parents and adults now working in Wales too. We are seeing very encouraging signs of integration in Welsh communities, and we are working hard to ensure that Ukrainians and the wider community receive the support they need.

In July, the Minister for Climate Change published a written statement about our transitional accommodation capital programme. This £65 million programme is supporting local authorities and registered social landlords to provide more good-quality longer term accommodation for Ukrainians, as well as looking much more widely to support all homelessness needs in Wales. We need to provide good-quality transitional accommodation options to enable everyone to get on with their lives—places people can call their own—while we support individuals and families to find a permanent home.

Ukrainians on the Homes for Ukraine scheme can receive advice from the Welsh Government-funded Wales sanctuary service. The service is run by the Welsh Refugee Council, along with Asylum Justice, Displaced People in Action, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales, BAWSO and TGP Cymru. Ukrainians on the Ukraine family scheme can also receive integration support via our partnership with British Red Cross. More information on these services can be found on our sanctuary website.

I'm very happy today to say that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change has also agreed to extend the free public transport offer for people seeking sanctuary—the 'welcome ticket'—until at least March 2023. Eligibility criteria have been updated and will be available shortly on the Welsh Government website.

Finally, I want to say that, earlier this year, we made a £1 million donation to the Community Foundation Wales Nation of Sanctuary Croeso fund. Sizable awards have now been made to the Welsh Refugee Coalition and Oasis Cardiff, as well as small grants to other organisations, to ensure people seeking sanctuary can be supported, irrespective of their national origin. All contributions to the fund will be used to help people fleeing terrible circumstances, and I call on organisations and businesses to consider making a corporate donation to play your part in our nation of sanctuary efforts.

We are immensely thankful to those across Wales who are acting as hosts to Ukrainians. Acting as a host is a big commitment and we want to ensure that it is supported. We have funded Housing Justice Cymru to provide a host support service, which includes expert and reliable information, training, advice and guidance for people hosting, or those considering hosting, on the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Wales. More information on sessions and training can be found on the Housing Justice Cymru website. However, we still need many more households to consider whether they could provide a home for six to 12 months for those in need, and if anyone is considering this, we encourage them to register their interest at gov.wales/offerhome, and to attend one of the introduction to hosting sessions facilitated by Housing Justice Cymru. 

We are developing a regular timetable of communications with our Ukrainian guests and hosts to ensure that they are regularly informed about updates, opportunities and available support. In addition, we are planning to engage with arrivals to better understand aspirations, challenges and integration since arrival in Wales. Throughout this crisis, Wales has lived up to its aspiration as a nation of sanctuary and it is vital that we hear the voice of those who have arrived and are settling in Wales to ensure that our response meets their needs. Finally—very finally—with the conflict in Ukraine, Llywydd, continuing as a result of Putin’s ongoing aggression, we must ensure that we stand ready together to continue to welcome people into our country and into our homes.